Health Services

Connect Online with Health Services via Cranium Cafe

Health Services is here to support the emotional health of students with the following services and resources:

  • Personal Counseling Sessions begin August 30 on Zoom. Send request to george.magelesFREEWEST_VALLEY
  • Active Minds Club and new One Love Relationship Club begin meeting this Fall. Watch this space for details.

Check out the extensive list of local, national, and online mental health resources and be sure to follow us on Instagram: @westvalley_healthservices

Available Services

TB testing is available. To schedule an appointment, please send an email to wvc.health-servicesFREEWEST_VALLEY

What if I need medical services?

WV Health Services does not have the capacity to treat or diagnose COVID-19 on campus. If you are having an emergency, call 911.

Our medical team can answer your questions and provide guidance on where to access appropriate care. Visit the Health Services Online page to schedule a Chat Session or Video Appointment with Dr. Forrest.

Students may also contact Dr. Forrest by phone (408) 741-2159 or email alfred.forrestFREEWEST_VALLEY – he will respond as soon as possible.

For general questions, please leave a message at (408) 741-2027 or send us an email wvc.health-servicesFREEWEST_VALLEY. Email and phone messages are monitored Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

All currently enrolled students are eligible and welcome to be seen for a wide range of health and wellness services. Every student is charged a health fee at the time of registration that covers most services offered. This fee is not a replacement for personal health insurance. Modest additional fees are charged dependent on individual student needs.

Beginning summer 2020, the current fee is $21 per semester and $17 per summer session.

This fee supports Student Health Services, which provides care for on-campus injuries, illness, a self-help medication center, health education, health assessment, information/referral, and personal counseling.

If a student is enrolled at both West Valley College and Mission College, then the health fee need only be paid at one of the two. A valid receipt showing proof of payment at Mission will allow West Valley to waive the fee and vice versa.

Any student who either requests an exemption of the health fee, or is determined by a Student Services program to warrant review for exemption, is asked to please contact the Admissions Office.

Specialty Support

Sexual assault violates a person in many ways, often when a person is forced or manipulated into an unwanted sexual encounter.

Sexual assault covers a broad range of acts that include, but are not limited to: unwanted sexual contact, dating violence, voyeurism, indecent exposure, oral copulation, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, rape by one or more persons including marital or partner rape, statutory rape, incest, child molestation, and lewd or lascivious acts upon a minor.

Sexual assault abuses a person not only physically but also emotionally and mentally, and shatters a person’s trust and sense of safety.

If you want to speak with someone at the College about an incident of sexual harassment or sexual violence but you don’t want to report the incident at that time, you can speak confidentially with our staff in Health Services. The professional staff at Health Services are confidential and well trained to provide you guidance and referrals. It is very likely they will encourage you to file a report, but their most important role is to listen and provide support.

Service Phone Number
WV Health Services
Schedule a Chat Session or Video Appointment		 (408) 741-2027
WV Counseling Center (408) 741-2009
West Valley District Police
(Ask for a West Valley police officer)		 (408) 299-3233
YWCA 24-hr Sexual Assault hotline (800) 572-2782
Santa Clara Valley Med
M-F 9 AM – 5:30 PM for general information about SART (Sexual Assault Response Team)		 (408) 885-6466

Students can file a Student Incident Report to West Valley Student Services.

Students may also send an email to askwvcFREEWEST_VALLEY with the content of the email simply indicating: “This is a Campus SaVE situation,” or "this is a Title IX situation” – a counselor will be in contact.

Mental Health Screenings -  Brief, Anonymous, and Confidential. Topics include Depression, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, Alcohol and Drugs, and Eating Disorders. Take screenings online

See Health Services Flyer

Personal Counseling

What if I need support and want to talk with someone?

If you are experiencing a crisis or psychiatric emergency, call 911.

Service Phone Number
24 Hour Suicide and Crisis Service, County of Santa Clara (855) 278–4204
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273–TALK (8255)
Crisis Text Line Text HELLO to 741741

WV Health Services is currently providing the following mental health related services for all West Valley College students:

Personal Counseling Video Sessions on Zoom

To schedule an appointment for Personal Counseling, send an email to george.magelesFREEWEST_VALLEY

A weekly campus club with a focus on mental and emotional health and wellness. Send an email to wvc.health-servicesFREEWEST_VALLEY to join the club.

A weekly campus club with a focus on sharing experiences and ideas for healthy relationships. Send an email to wvc.health-servicesFREEWEST_VALLEY to join the club.

For other questions regarding mental health, counseling, or support groups, you can email george.magelesFREEWEST_VALLEY

Staff Profiles

Alfred Forrest

Alfred Forrest

Student Health Services
Director of Health Services

(408) 741-2159
alfred.forrest@westvalley.edu
Student Services Center

Barry Goldman-Hall

Barry Goldman-Hall

Student Health Services
Mental Health Consultant

(408) 741-2027
barry.goldman-hall@westvalley.edu
Student Services Center

George Mageles

George Mageles

Student Health Services
Supervisor, Mental Health Services

(408) 741-2612
george.mageles@westvalley.edu
Student Services Center

Meghan Vaughn

Meghan Vaughn

Student Health Services
Program Analyst

(408) 741-2641
meghan.vaughn@westvalley.edu
Student Services Center

Are you concerned about a student?

A Note About Confidentiality and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

If you are concerned about the welfare or safety of a student, you may share student information with college administrators, campus police, or health services; this is not a violation of student privacy. Please remember NOT to send identifying student information via email.

Safety concerns warranting disclosure could include a student’s suicidal statements or ideations, unusual, erratic, or angry behaviors, or conduct that may pose a risk of serious harm.

To learn more about FERPA and confidentiality, please visit the district policies page: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

Accident Report Form

Information for Your Syllabus (cut and paste)

College students often experience issues that may interfere with academic success such as stress, juggling responsibilities, life events, relationship concerns, sleep problems, or feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, or depression. All of us benefit from support during times of struggle – you are not alone. Helpful, effective resources are available for all students, and an important part of the college experience is learning how to ask for help. Getting help is the smart and courageous thing to do – for yourself, and for those who care about you.

  • You can learn more about the broad range of confidential, mental health services for students on the Health Services webpage: https://www.westvalley.edu/services/health including tele-mental health, anonymous online screenings, trainings, online/local information, and resources.
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-TALK (8255)
  • National Crisis Text Line: text “COURAGE” to 741741

Resources

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center

751 S Bascom Avenue
San Jose, CA 95128

1 (408) 885-6900

Covered California Health Coverage Options

Medi-Cal

  • Children—regardless of immigration status—foster youth, pregnant women, and legally present individuals—including those with DACA status—may be eligible for no- or low-cost Medi-Cal.
  • Medi-Cal covers immunizations, checkups, specialists, vision and dental services, and more for children and youth at no- or low-cost.
  • Medi-Cal enrollment is available year-round.

Covered California

  • Covered California is where legal residents of California can compare quality health plans and choose the one that works best for them.
  • Based on income and family size, many Californians may qualify for financial assistance.
  • Enroll during Open Enrollment or any time you experience a life-changing event, like losing your job or having a baby. You have 60 days from the event to complete enrollment.

This year there are new laws that expand financial help for Californians. Now many individuals and families who make between $50,000 and $150,000 are eligible for help for the first time. Make sure you visit Coveredca.com to check your what you might qualify for.

You and your family may qualify for financial help

Household Size 2020 household maximum 2020 household maximum 2020 household range
1 $17,237 $33,224 $17,238 – $74,940
2 $23,336 $44,981 $23,337 – $101,460
3 $29,436 $56,738 $29,437 – $127,980
4 $35,535 $68,495 $35,536 – $154,500
5 $41,635 $80,253 $41,636 – $181,020
6 $47,735 $92,010 $47,736 – $207,540
  Adults may be eligible for Medi-Cal Children may be eligible for Medi-Cal May be eligible for financial help to purchase insurance through Covered California

Enroll

Three ways to enroll in Medi-Cal and Covered California:

Get Care

  • Find a primary care doctor in your network.
  • Schedule an annual checkup for you and your family.
  • Make sure to take your child to the dentist.
  • Pay your monthly premium if your plan requires it.

Renew

  • Medi-Cal must be renewed every year. Medi-Cal will mail renewal packet. Complete and return. For help, contact your local Medi-Cal office or call 211.
  • Health plans through Covered California must be renewed every year. Renewal information will be mailed at the end of the year, or contact Covered California at 1 (800) 300-1506.

Low Cost Health Resources

This page contains links to health and wellness information for educational purposes only, it is not intended to replace the advice of trained professionals.

Recommended Reading

  • Body Respect by Linda Bacon and Lucy Aphramor
  • Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole
  • Body of Truth by Harriet Brown

The West Valley Active Minds Club empowers students to change the perception about mental health on college campuses.

Active Minds is the leading nonprofit organization that empowers students to speak openly about mental health in order to educate others and encourage help-seeking. We are changing the culture on campuses and in the community by providing information, leadership opportunities and advocacy training to the next generation.

Through campus-wide events and national programs, Active Minds aims to remove the stigma that surrounds mental health issues, and create a comfortable environment for an open conversation about mental health issues on campuses nationwide.

Please contact Student Health Services at wvc.health-servicesFREEWEST_VALLEY if you are interested in joining the West Valley Active Minds Chapter or would like more information.

Visit West Valley Active Minds Chapter on Facebook.

Weekly Club Meetings will resume in the Fall.

Active Minds Logo

Emergency

If student is a danger to self or others, or help is needed immediately, call 9-1-1 or 408-299-3233

Mental Health Resources

See crisis and community resources, including helpful mobile apps.

Online Hours

Day Hours
Monday 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday Closed
Follow Us

For health related information, student health services updates, mental health resources, and community services.

Instagram: @westvalley_healthservices
Last Updated 5/19/22